ICC Allays Transport Fears Ahead Of ICC WT20

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has moved to allay fears that worldwide travel disruption could impact on the ICC World Twenty20, scheduled to begin on 30th April in the West Indies.

Although Ireland and Zimbabwe are already in the Caribbean, other countries, officials and broadcasters may be held up by flight delays which have been caused by the eruption of a volcano in Iceland and the subsequent ash cloud that it has produced over most of Europe and parts of America and Africa.

In a statement released after its second annual board meeting in Dubai, the ICC said:

"Ireland, Zimbabwe and host team West Indies are in the Caribbean already but the Board heard that arrangements were being made so that seven of the remaining eight affected men’s teams – New Zealand are travelling via the United States – could be airlifted direct to the West Indies from Dubai with the aid of ICC partners Emirates.

Other issues confirmed by the board were that there would be $US 10 million prize money available for the 2011 World Cup while it also "noted the importance of a resumption of bilateral fixtures between Pakistan and India as soon as possible as scheduled in the Future Tours Programme."

ICC President David Morgan will also lead a delegation to Zimbabwe in June as discussions continue with regard to their potential return to playing Test cricket in the next two years.